Electric cars staged "Revenge" counterattack relying on technical bottlenecks but still

　　From the perspective of the time of birth, electric vehicles that were born about half a century earlier than internal combustion engine vehicles can definitely be called the "old predecessors" of the automotive industry. However, this "old predecessor" could only be powered by dry batteries at the time, and the distance he could run was only a short distance, which seems incredible today.

　　United States: Electric cars counterattack future cars

　　Under the stimulus of high government subsidies and a large number of policies, electric vehicles that were originally eliminated by fuel vehicles have staged a "revenge" in the US market.

　　Data released by the U.S. government shows that the total sales of the U.S. auto market in 2017 exceeded 14 million, of which new energy models accounted for about 3%, and the total sales reached 477,000, an increase of 5.6% over the previous year. Among new energy vehicles, sales of pure electric vehicles increased by 23% to 168,000.

　　Bloomberg (Bloomberg) released a report predicting that by 2040, the sales of electric vehicles will reach 41 million, accounting for 35% of the sales of new light vehicles.

　　Electric car staged "Revenge"

　　From the perspective of the time of birth, electric vehicles that were born about half a century earlier than internal combustion engine vehicles can definitely be called the "old predecessors" of the automotive industry. However, this "old predecessor" could only be powered by dry batteries at the time, and the distance he could run was only a short distance, which seems incredible today.

　　In the second half of the 19th century, the development of battery technology ushered in the earliest glory of the American electric vehicle industry. Electric vehicles began to be widely used in Europe and the United States, and were once more popular than fuel vehicles.

　　No unpleasant gasoline smell, no noise, no engine vibration, no long warm-up time for steam cars, easier driving operation, and relatively low price. These characteristics made electric vehicles quite popular in the early car market in the early 20th century. Together with steam cars and diesel locomotives, a tripartite situation was formed. In 1900, 38% of the 4,200 cars sold in the United States were electric cars, 22% were internal-combustion cars, and 40% were steam-engine cars.

　　However, with the improvement of oil exploration and internal combustion engine technology in Texas, electric vehicles have gradually lost their advantages. Internal-combustion-powered vehicles "occupies" the automobile market in one fell swoop, and electric vehicles began to disappear. By the 1930s and 1940s, electric vehicles had been basically eliminated by fuel vehicles.

　　In the following decades, with the depletion of petroleum-based fossil energy and the continuous occurrence of air pollution incidents, electric vehicles staged a "revenge" in the US market, and more and more Americans began to pay attention to electric vehicles again.

　　As an important market indicator, sales data not only reflect the attitude of ordinary consumers towards new energy vehicles, but also intuitively show consumers' preference for certain types of vehicles.

　　According to the definition of China's industrial category, hybrid vehicles are not new energy vehicles, but what is interesting is that hybrid vehicles are the highest-selling category in the US new energy market, accounting for approximately 67% of total sales. Compared with pure electric models that are prone to anxiety about cruising range, and plug-in hybrid models with relatively higher prices, hybrid models are more cost-effective.

　　Hybrid power has been cultivated in the United States for many years. Japanese and American vehicles such as Toyota and Ford have the most competitive advantages in the market. Among them, the Toyota market accounted for up to 55.42%; Ford came in second with 19.24%.

　　plug-in hybrid models are also very popular in the US market. Japan's Prius Prime competes with Chevrolet Volanda at home in this field.

　　In the pure electric vehicle market, it is dominated by Tesla’s main models ModelS, ModelX, BoltEV and LEAF. Statistics show that the sales of these four models account for more than 80% of the sales of the entire pure electric vehicle market. Among them, the electric SUV with high driving range has always been a battleground for military strategists. This is also the reason why ModelX remains popular after experiencing door turmoil and seat problems.

　　The Model 3 electric car, which entered the US market last year, has a starting price of 35,000 U.S. dollars, and is known as Tesla's most affordable model. Tesla has high hopes for this model, hoping to use it to reduce losses for Tesla and invest in future cars.

　　However, what the industry is most concerned about is whether Model 3 can be volume up quickly. Previously, this car has repeatedly postponed its production target due to insufficient production capacity. Recently, Tesla announced that its weekly output has reached 2,000 vehicles. It is reported that Tesla’s production target for the second quarter is 5,000 Model 3 electric vehicles per week, which was originally the company’s goal for the end of 2017.

　　"Counter-attack" relies on technology, but the bottleneck is still

　　The reason why electric vehicles can "counterattack" in the US market is the decline in battery costs and the development of charging technology is also an important factor.

　　First of all, battery cost reduction is a prerequisite. Last year, the cost of lithium-ion batteries was $350 per kilowatt-hour, and since 2010, the cost of lithium-ion batteries has fallen by 65%. The International Energy Agency's report pointed out that since 2008, the cost of batteries has dropped by about four times, and the energy density of batteries has increased by five times. Bloomberg analysts predict that by 2030, the cost of batteries for electric vehicles will be well below US$120 per kilowatt-hour. With further improvements in technology, battery costs will further drop.

　　For electric vehicles, charging is an essential part of the use process. As of January 2018, the United States had built nearly 20,000 charging piles and more than 50,000 charging sockets.

　　The star effect is another reason for the development of new energy vehicles in the United States. When oil prices cannot be a factor that motivates ordinary people to purchase new energy vehicles, the choice of public figures gives the purchase and use of new energy vehicles a star effect, making it a trend.

　　In addition, the promotion of star companies such as Tesla also played a key role. Tesla’s market strategy is undoubtedly correct. In 2008, it first launched the test-water sports car Roster, in 2012 it launched the mature mass-produced high-end car ModelS, in 2015 it launched the ModelX, and then in March 2016 it launched the friendly Model3, which is First use high-end cars to exercise their abilities and occupy the market potential without overly disturbing competitors. When the technical capabilities are mature, they will quickly launch Volkswagen models to seize the market.

　　Of course, it is not just Tesla. After the 1990s, major automobile manufacturers began to invest funds and technology in the field of electric vehicles, which became an important factor in promoting the development of electric vehicles.

　　However, despite some progress, the US electric vehicle market still faces problems such as high charging pile costs and long charging times. As long-term losses are difficult to spread, and charging service fees are just a drop in the bucket for operators, losses have become the "normal" for the entire charging pile industry.

　　In this regard, Tesla's solution is to build as many fast charging stations as possible-"Supercharging" (Supercharging). The "Super Charging Station" is fast and convenient. It can travel 270 kilometers with half an hour of charging, which is 10 times the efficiency of household charging piles.

　　Although this service is commendable, the high cost makes most Americans "daunting." It is understood that the construction cost of each "super charging station" not only exceeds 100,000 US dollars, but also requires an infrastructure land with an area of 20 square meters to 200 square meters.

　　In this case, the development of wireless charging technology has become an important factor in the popularity of electric vehicles. With the increasing research and development of wireless charging technology for electric vehicles by major manufacturers, and the fierce competition in the third-party charging pile market, this technology has also been successfully applied.

　　In recent years, automakers from all over the world have realized the intelligent and new energy trend of the auto industry, and have increased their investment in autonomous driving and new energy vehicles. For example, Ford announced during the North American Auto Show this year that it plans to invest US$11 billion in the development of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles; BMW announced that it will launch a total of 25 electric vehicles by 2025; Mercedes-Benz plans to achieve the entire vehicle range by 2022. Has an electric version.

　　In addition, Japanese manufacturers are also using hybrid technology and improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines to rapidly improve the economy of fuel vehicles.

　　Regions with more policy support are developing fastest

　　For many years, the US government has always maintained a positive attitude towards new energy vehicles. As early as the 1980s, the US government launched a targeted new energy strategy.

　　In 1988, President Reagan signed the Alternative Engine Fuel Act (AMFA) in the last year of his term, passing tax cuts for car companies that use natural gas or alcohol (the two fuels are called alternative fuels). To achieve the purpose of improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

　　In 1989, President Bush Sr. submitted an amendment to the Clean Air Act to Congress, hoping to solve the three major air problems that endanger the health of the American people: acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic gas emissions. In the end, the proposal was passed in 1990, and car companies that sell clean-fuel vehicles can enjoy certain tax relief.

　　In 1992, the US Congress passed the Energy Policy Act (EnergyPolicyAct). For the first time, the decree gave the official definition of the “alternative fuel” concept that has been applied by the industry for several years: alternative fuels include biofuels (such as ethanol), natural gas, hydrogen, electricity, propane, and other fuels that can pass the Department of Energy’s rules in the future (and later passed There are two fuels, namely biodiesel and P-series fuel). These models are called Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV).

　　Until today, AFV is still the official definition and key support model for the promotion of energy-saving and environmentally friendly vehicles in the United States. In the decree, AFV has become the main target of government car purchases. A rigid indicator is: Starting from the 1999 fiscal year, 75% of the light-duty vehicles used by the federal government must be AFVs.

　　It is under the impetus of government subsidy policies that American new energy vehicles have experienced rapid growth in recent years.

　　In order to promote the plug-in hybrid vehicle plan, the US government has spent tens of billions of dollars in the form of low-interest loans and subsidies, and even set up a fund to support the research and development and production of power batteries, key components, new energy vehicles, and charging Facilities construction.

　　As a strong supplement to the existing tax credit policy, the U.S. government, in the name of the White House, for the first time in July 2016, issued a package plan for the development of the electric vehicle industry, including the provision of US$4.5 billion in government loan guarantees, and an annual subsidy of 1,000 10,000 US dollars to promote the "Battery 500" project.

　　The Obama administration also issued regulations in 2012, requiring that the average mileage per gallon of gasoline in American cars reach 54.5 miles (equivalent to 4.32 liters per 100 kilometers) by 2025, an increase of 10 miles from the current standard. The Obama administration stated that this will help substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save consumer spending, and ultimately reduce U.S. crude oil consumption.

　　The leverage of policy regulation is very obvious. For example, stimulated by favorable policies, the sales of electric vehicles in Georgia, the second largest electric vehicle market, are close to California, the largest electric vehicle market.

　　From the perspective of the regional development pattern, regions with more policy support have become the fastest-growing regions in the US new energy vehicle market.

　　From the perspective of the ownership of electric vehicles in the United States, California accounts for more than half, and the reason is the strong support of local governments. Matt Miyari, the vice president of the Science and Technology Development Department of the Southern California Air Quality Administration, once said in an interview that the vigorous promotion of the California government has created a strong stimulus for the development of the industry. This is the development of new energy vehicles in the United States. important reason.

　　As the largest electric vehicle market in the United States, California has been "mandatory" to promote new energy vehicles.

　　Since the 1970s, in order to control air pollution, California has the right to set stricter automobile fuel consumption standards. Therefore, it has become the state with the most stringent automobile environmental protection standards in the United States, and it is also the state with the fastest development of new energy vehicles.

　　In 1990, California introduced a zero-emission vehicle program, requiring automakers to develop pure electric vehicles, and at the same time requiring the sales of new energy vehicles to reach 15% of the overall sales of new vehicles.

　　In 2007, California subsidized pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric motorcycles, etc. through the Clean Vehicle Subsidy Program. According to different car models, they are entitled to different subsidy levels. The state government will pre-determine the total amount of subsidies each time, which is generally issued to car buyers on a first-come, first-served, first-buy-first-served basis until the total subsidy is used up.

　　Abodo Ayala, Executive Vice President of the California Air Resources Board, said: “If automakers want to sell cars in California, then by 2025, one of the seven cars you sell must be a zero-emission vehicle. If so. Failure to comply with the regulations will inevitably be punished."

　　Today, Americans’ enthusiasm for electric vehicles is rising again, and electric vehicles are increasingly occupying the market.

　　South Korea: Use "the world's highest level" subsidies to promote electric vehicles

　　In recent years, the Korean government has actively promoted the development of the electric vehicle industry through technology research and development and government subsidies. However, insufficient charging station facilities and unstable and uneven subsidy policies are still two major obstacles to the development of South Korea's electric vehicle industry.

　　attaches great importance to technology development

　　In February 2018, South Korean officials stated at the "Future Automobile Industry Symposium" that the South Korean government will accelerate the technological development of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles.

　　The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea stated in its "Development Strategy for the Future Automobile Industry" that it will greatly improve the driving distance and charging technology of electric vehicles. More than kilometers, the charging speed is more than twice the current.

　　The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy also stated that the government plans to centrally convert buses, taxis and small trucks into electric vehicles. The specific plan is to select five local autonomous organizations in 2018, and from 2019, replace 10% of the vehicles every year, until 2030, all the above types of vehicles will be converted into electric vehicles.

　　In addition, the South Korean government has decided to promote the recycling of waste batteries for electric vehicles and the basic services of electric vehicles such as the power grid for electric vehicle storage and energy from 2018.

　　Related data show that in the past two years, the sales volume of electric vehicles in South Korea has increased significantly. In 2015, South Korea’s sales of electric vehicles were 2,907 units, and in 2016 it increased to 5,914 units. Issued by the Ministry of Environment of South Korea in January 2017